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Conversation Prompts

May 12, 2017

May 12, 2017

(NOTE: The Open Knowledge site is, as its name suggests, open to be viewed by the public. When completing this assignment, please be aware that–although only members of the group can post to this site–the content of the site is available to the general public.)

Part 1: Issue/Problem Identification (Due by Monday, May 1, 2017)

Now that we have completed our second module (Manage for Performance), we ask you to describe an issue or problem that has been particularly challenging for you or your organization. What has been troubling you at work? Are there any changes would you like to make but have been struggling to figure out how, when, or where to start? The issue or problem you propose can be drawn from a wide range of areas, such as operations (e.g., improving flow of patients through radiology or the ED), leadership (e.g., improving organizational or team performance), strategy (e.g., building a disease-specific clinical program), or any other discipline we have examined in the program.

The problem you propose should be one that you have not yet “solved” and that, in your view, could benefit from the input from your MHCD colleagues. Whatever you do, don’t let your current lack of an “answer” discourage you from proposing an issue; in fact, such issues are precisely the ones we would like you to bring forward. Perhaps your problem is one that others have experienced in a similar form within their own organizations. You won’t know unless you offer up the challenge.

A paragraph or two (typically a 300-500 words) should be sufficient to describe your problem. Feel free to use any visuals (e.g., charts, exhibits, web links to video) that would help others grasp the nature of your challenge in a clear and concise manner.

This part of the assignment is due by Monday, May 1.

Part 2: Commenting on Problems (Due by Friday, May 12, 2017)

Using the commenting function in Open Knowledge, please provide your comments or advice on at least five (5) issues or problems proposed by others. Are there examples that you might suggest they look to in trying to develop a solution? Are there individuals that you might suggest they contact? Are there ways in which you might suggest that they refine the statement of their problem? Again, please remember that your comments are open to be viewed by the general public.

Please complete your five required comments by Friday, May 12. Of course, we would like you to comment on as many proposals as possible, so please don’t see five as a limit.

Also, please use the site to engage in back-and-forth discussions (e.g., those who propose solutions should feel free to react to the comments and suggestions of others in the interest of getting a dialogue going). You never know who might get enticed to enter a given discussion. Your participation will ensure that as many participants as possible get helpful feedback on their problems. In the process of helping others, we hope you might learn from them as well.

We are currently faced with a very important strategic decision for our organization, merge with a larger hospital system or continue to stay independent. Merger mania has definitely hit South Central Pennsylvania and we are now the only independent hospital [...]